British police to be armed with Taser stun guns

POLICE forces across Britain are to be equipped with Taser stun guns after a successful pilot scheme with the controversial high-voltage weapons, officials said yesterday.

Critics argue that the guns, which deliver a 50,000-volt charge, are “potentially lethal”, but the government says they are crucial and is paying for 10,000 of them to be distributed.

“I am proud that we have one of the few police services around the world that do not regularly carry firearms and I want to keep it that way,” said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.